The Death of The Major Oak

 

After the euphoria of England’s football victory yesterday, it came as a real shock to wake up to the news this morning of the death of England’s heart of oak. The Major Oak in Sherwood Forest, believed to be around 1,200 years old, has reportedly succumbed to the pressures of excessive tourism, according to the Woodland Trust.

I have always loved Sherwood. It is a truly beautiful forest, rich not only in legendary tales but also in wildlife and natural beauty. So, with a heavy heart, I say goodbye to an old friend—one I have had the privilege of visiting several times over the years.

The loss of such an iconic and ancient tree feels like the end of a remarkable chapter in England’s natural heritage. May it continue to inspire future generations through its legacy, stories, and memories. 

Robin Hood's Chair Yet Again!

 

Yes, it's been spotted again!

Regular readers will be familiar with our ongoing search for the distinctive Robin Hood chairs designed by Carmen Dillon and her art department for Walt Disney's 1952 film The Story of Robin Hood. Over the years, these remarkable props have turned up in a surprising number of productions.

Thanks to a sharp-eyed blog reader, one of the chairs has now been identified in a scene from Without a Clue (1988), shown above.

Below is the latest updated list of productions in which these famous chairs have been spotted. If you recognise them in any other films or television programmes, please do get in touch.

The Story of Robin Hood and his Merrie Men (1952)

The Men of Sherwood Forest (Film, 1954)

The Black Knight (Film, 1954)

The Adventures of Robin Hood (TV, 1955–1958)

The Dark Avenger (Film, 1955)

Ivanhoe (TV, 1958) – Episode: The Night Raiders (featuring Joan Rice, who would have remembered these chairs from her time filming at Denham Studios)

Sword of Sherwood Forest (Film, 1960)

Richard the Lionheart (TV, 1962-1963)

Robin of Sherwood (TV, 1984–1986)

The Mission – Stay With Me (Official Music Video, 1986)

Without A Clue (Film, 1988)

Horrible Histories (TV, 2013–2015)

Disney's Robin Hood Radio Series

Did you know that Disney’s The Story of Robin Hood and His Merrie Men was also adapted into a radio series? I was just as surprised as you might be! Thanks to another fantastic contribution from our regular contributor, Neil Vessey, we now have images of the Radio Times listings from 1952 that reveal this little-known production.

Beginning on Monday, 28 April 1952, the BBC broadcast The Adventures of Robin Hood on the Light Programme in five daily half-hour episodes, concluding on 1 May 1952. The series aired around the time of the general release of Disney’s live-action film The Story of Robin Hood and His Merrie Men and featured many members of the film’s original cast.

Listeners heard Richard Todd as Robin Hood, Joan Rice as Maid Marian, Patrick Barr as King Richard, Elton Hayes as Alan-a-Dale, Hubert Gregg as Prince John, Peter Finch as the Sheriff of Nottingham, Reginald Tate as Hugh Fitzooth, Louise Hampton as Tyb, and Hal Osmond as Midge the Miller.

Several other roles were recast for the radio series. Anthony Forwood’s character, Will Scarlet, was played by Andrew Faulds (1923–2000), while John Turnbull (1880–1956) replaced Anthony Eustrel as the Archbishop of Canterbury. The role of Stutely, portrayed in the film by Bill Owen, was taken by Jack Shaw.

The series was written by Desmond Carrington and produced by Thurston Holland. Interestingly, the radio adaptation introduced several characters from the Robin Hood legend who did not appear in the Disney film, including Gilbert of the White Hand, the Sheriff’s henchman Troughton, and Arthur à Bland.

How wonderful it would be to hear these broadcasts today. Sadly, it appears that the master recordings were destroyed, leaving only the programme listings and a fascinating glimpse into this forgotten chapter of Disney and Robin Hood history.

One curious detail in the Radio Times listing is the reference to Disney's forthcoming film as The Adventures of Robin Hood. This must surely be an error, as Disney's motion picture, The Story of Robin Hood and His Merrie Men had already premiered in London on 13 March 1952  and would soon be on general release. 

Don't forget to visit Neil's fantastic website: Films of the Fifties

A Cut Scene

The image shared by Neil

 Recently, Laurence sent me an image from a rare Belgian stamp book showing what appears to be a scene that was ultimately cut from The Story of Robin Hood. It depicts Marian disguised as a page boy, accompanied by Allan-a-Dale, as they make their way through Sherwood Forest.

Laurence's Stamp Book image

It's a wonderful discovery. Not only are the distinctive pollarded trees of Burnham Beeches clearly visible around them, but in the background there also appears to be Upper Pond. This strongly suggests that the scene was originally filmed on location rather than in the studio setting seen in the final cut.

This week, Neil, another regular contributor, shared a second image from the same scene (top image). This time it shows Marian, Allan-a-Dale and Midge the Miller. Interestingly, there is no sign of the pond in the background. This raises the possibility that the two images were taken from different angles, or perhaps at different stages during the filming of the sequence.

Neil's image enhanced

A special thanks to Neil and Laurence.

Belgium Stamp Book

 It is always a genuine pleasure to hear from fellow enthusiasts of The Story of Robin Hood and His Merrie Men. Laurence, a long-time and valued contributor to the blog, was recently inspired by my post regarding the film's deleted scenes. In response, he generously shared a few remarkable images from his own prized possession: a rare Belgian stamp book. Fascinatingly, a few illustrations capture rare moments from the production that appear to have been left entirely on the cutting room floor.

One stamp (above) shows a scene where Alan-a-Dale, Marian, and Midge the Miller are deep in Sherwood. This was not used in the finished film, for as we know, that scene was shot in the studio.

I think it is interesting in that you can see quite clearly what appears to be the Upper Pond in Burnham Beeches in the background! Wouldn't it be absolutely wonderful to see those edited scenes?

I will be showing more in my next post. 

A Picnic in Sherwood

 

Walt with Richard Todd (Robin Hood) and Joan Rice (Maid Marian) during filming The Story of Robin Hood (1952).

Welcome to the Greenwood!

 

Robin and Marian want to give a special thanks to all our regular readers. Welcome to the greenwood!

Training Friar Tuck

 

Rupert Evans (1911–1995) puts Friar Tuck — portrayed by James Hayter (1907–1985) — through his paces!

Disney's First Maid Marian

 

“I was Disney’s first Maid Marian,” Joan Rice would often proudly tell friends at her local pub in Maidenhead. Through my research into the life of this often-overlooked actress, her contribution to the Robin Hood legacy on the silver screen is finally receiving the recognition it deserves. And on this day, celebrating Maid Marian, I also want to honour the young girl from a fractured family, raised in an orphanage in Nottingham, who played in Sherwood Forest, worked as a waitress in a coffee shop, and was personally chosen by Walt Disney to bring Maid Marian to life.